18 of the 222 complaints about the 1998 Saturn SL are about the electrical system — 8% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 180,000 miles.
18
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN TURNING OFF THE CAR, THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH BETWEEN THE RUN AND OFF POSITIONS. WHEN STUCK THE KEY CANNOT BE TURNED OR REMOVED. THE CAR CANNOT BE STARTED NOR CAN THE KEY BE REMOVED.
NHTSA complaint #10576515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SATURN SL2 SEDAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09E012000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) BUT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.
NHTSA complaint #10386884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
I HAVE NOTED THE DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE IS EXPOSED TO UNUSUAL ACTIVITY OF RADIO FREQUENCIES (IN THE 120-140MHZ RANGE) AND THE ARE PULSING AND VARIABLE ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS IN THE AREA OF THE DRIVER'S BODY. I AM CONCERNED WITH HEALTH EFFECTS ON CONTINUED EXPOSURES.
NHTSA complaint #10219251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
I HAVE NOTED THE DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE IS EXPOSED TO UNUSUAL ACTIVITY OF RADIO FREQUENCIES (IN THE 120-140MHZ RANGE) AND THE ARE PULSING AND VARIABLE ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS IN THE AREA OF THE DRIVER'S BODY. I AM CONCERNED WITH HEALTH EFFECTS ON CONTINUED EXPOSURES.
NHTSA complaint #10219251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT SENOR AND COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR, HOWEVER THE ENGINE STALLED AGAIN. *AK THE POWER STEERING AND IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE GEAR DID NOT SHIFT PROPERLY, MAINLY IN FIRST GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10033577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT THE IGNITION MODULE AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT THEY HAVE A RECALL OUT, BUT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10025027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT THE IGNITION MODULE AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT THEY HAVE A RECALL OUT, BUT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10025027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED, POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. TS
NHTSA complaint #8022851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
WHEN ACCELERATING TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT INTO GEAR. ALSO, BATTERY IS LEAKING FLUID, DETERIORATING WIRE HARNESS TO TRANSMISSION. DEALER STATED PROBLEM WILL REOCCUR BECAUSE WIRES DO NOT HAVE A PROTECTIVE COVERING.
NHTSA complaint #8003027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
CONSUMER STATES HORN FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #785412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
CONSUMER FEELS THE HORN BUTTON IS VERY SMALL AND HARD TO LOCATE, SOMEONE BACKED INTO HIM AND HAD TROUBLE FINDING THE HORN. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #784367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
GENERATOR FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #609424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
SPARK PLUG WIRE FAILED RESULTING IN DECREASED POWER. YH
NHTSA complaint #609050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY.
NHTSA complaint #609146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
BATTERY / ALTERNATOR / GENERATOR ASSEMBLY FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #606778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
STARTER FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #607060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
DESIGN LOCATION OF THE HORN MADE IT HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO FIND DURING AN EMERGENCY RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #544073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH AND COMING TO A HALT THE COMPUTER SHUT DOWN AND NOTHING IN THE CAR WORKED. DEALER CONTACTED TWO TIMES IN THE SAME DAY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND ATTEMPTED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER DROVE THE CAR AWAY WITH NO GUARANTEE THE PROBLEM WOULD NOT REOCCUR. CONSUMER IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE SITUATION. SEVERAL REPAIRS OF DUE TO LOSS OF POWER, HOWEVER VEHICLE STILL EXPERIENCES PROBLEMS. TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS DURING SHIFTING, FOUND SCUFFED VALVES, REPLACED VALVES THAT WERE BINDING.
NHTSA complaint #828715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.